In this episode of the Book Fair podcast, host Anthony Soto engages in an insightful conversation with author Kathleen Troy and her contributions to children's literature and young adult (YA) literature. Kathleen discusses her series 'Dylan's Dog Squad' and 'Never Believe', diving into themes of hope, redemption, and the essential role of character development in YA fiction. Kathleen also shares her perspective on the use of suspense in storytelling and how literature can profoundly influence readers’ lives. Further conversations explore the significant impact of book bans in schools, emphasizing the importance of diverse and thought-provoking literature for young readers. The episode includes a news segment highlighting new children's and YA book releases, as well as current censorship debates in Arkansas and Colorado, underscoring ongoing challenges in literature access for youth. Tune in for a meaningful discussion about the power and relevance of children's and young adult literature today.

New Releases:

• How Girls Are Made by Mindy McGinnis
• I’ll Find You Where the Timeline Ends by Kylie Lee Baker
• The Last Ember (The Aerimander Chronicles #1) by Lily Berlin Dodd

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:54 Creating Relatable Protagonists: The Case of Sage

06:00 The Role of Optimism and Survival in Character Development

11:46 Exploring the Never Believe Series: Plot and Character Arcs

16:17 The Dylan Dog Squad Series: Adventures and Life Lessons

24:58 Themes of Redemption and Hope in Literature

27:56 The Impact of Writing: Creating Memories and Changing Lives

32:59 New Releases

38:10 Recent Book Challenges and Censorship

41:16 Community Responses to Book Bans